Too many strings attached to state money

The Ohio School Facilities Commission may be handing out building money, but it could come with too many strings attached to suit Dalton Local School District residents.

The commission "won't look at any building for less than 400 students," Dalton School Board President Dan Hostetler reported at Monday night's meeting. That would mean the district likely would have to bring Dalton and Kidron elementary schools together, a move that may not sit well, he said.

Hostetler and Saurer this summer attended an Ohio School Facilities Commission Conference.

The state has pegged the district's facility construction and renovation needs at $22 million, Hostetler said, and if the district strictly followed those recommendations, it's likely the commission would provide a major portion of the funding.

"If we would keep our ducks in a row, we should be able to get (the money)," he said. "It's my understanding, however, that to access it would require serious consolidation and that presents serious points for discussion. But it's hard to pass up that kind of money."

Out of the 611 Ohio school districts, Dalton is ranked 342nd on the facility priority list. The district likely wouldn't see any money until the year 2007 or 2008, Hostetler said, although the district could apply for an "expedited" plan that might speed up funding.

The Dalton schools could ask an OSFC evaluation of the district's specific funding situation, Saurer said, and the commission is required to respond in two years or less.

The district likely will make that request in the near future, board member Fred Myers said, but the board took no action Monday night.

In other business, the board:

- Added two drama classes and a speech class to the curriculum at Dalton High School.

- Hired Laura Wolf to teach one section of English 9 and gave a supplemental contract to Staci Lohrenz as athletic trainer. Volunteer football coaches Charles Green, Herb Homan, Mike McFarren and Brad Welch were approved, along with volunteer team physicians Dr. George Seese and Dr. Jeff Dulik.

- Agreed to pay up to $5,000 to the Orrville City Schools for data entry and processing of the fiscal year 2001 EMIS data to the state.

- Approved administrative assignments and duties for the year. No one on the administrative team "is lacking for things to do," Saurer said, pointing out the 26 additional assignments that range from senior citizens liaison to curriculum coordinator.

The next regular session is set for Sept. 26 at 8 p.m. in the administration building.